U12's four way fixture at Oakham

All home matches postponed due to the recent rains but fortunately Ilkeston under 12s were travelling away to a rearranged 'mini' festival at Oakham.
Today's opposition would test the mettle of the fragile squad due to the loss of almost 50% of the players through holidays and injuries.
The first match saw Ilkeston meeting Bourne. From the kick off Bourne stamped their authority using their strong forwards to ruck any loose ball enabling their South African fly half an opportunity to score and also provide a precise pass for their winger to put Bourne two tries up at half time. Only the strong tackling of full back Frank Hemingray ensured the score remained manageable. Half Time Ilkeston 0 Bourne 10.
Ilkeston showed many changes from their regular team with the introduction of Tom Davidson for his debut on the wing and Conor Corrigan once again playing scrum half. The second half saw Ilkeston finally attempt to compete at Bourne's level. With the rallying calls of captain Joseph Doughty and pack leader Robbie Boddington increasing the pressure in defence. Centres Cameron Greenfield and Zack Lebeter attempted to tackle the constant drive of the opposition. Unfortunately various turn over's of Ilkeston ball and missed tackles allowed Bourne to finish the second half with a further three tries. Bourne exploited missed tackles, Ilkeston's inability to win their own ball and the dominance of the scrum however Ilkeston challenged throughout. Final score Ilkeston 0 Bourne 25.
Man of the match - Backs - Frank Hemingray, Forwards - Robbie Boddington.

Next match was against Oakham. Again a team displaying larger than the Ilkeston players, suggest a rack being installed in everybody's home!
Ilkeston's coaches made changes with Gregor McIntosh returned to the wing for the first time since the 2008/09 season. Oakham received the kick off and immediately broke the returning feeble tackles to score. This was followed by a try again by the opposition and the Ilkeston supporters prepared for the expected doom! However the Elks started to show their worth and start to believe in themselves, Forwards Aidan Norris and Boddington attempted to break the Oakham defence, rucking commenced and finally Corrigan was providing clean ball to the backs. Half Time Ilkeston 0 Oakham 10.
Ilkeston now had belief and through the second half maintained this, unfortunaltley every break they made was without support so any dominance was short lived as Oakham used their numbers to rob the Ilkeston player.
Greenfield tackled strongly as expected and dumped many players onto their backs. Hemingray whilst not able to attack to his usual standard continued to tackle players twice his size. The second half unfortunately remained try less yet Ilkeston had deserved some rewards for all their hard work. Final score Ilkeston 0 Oakham 10.
Man of the match - Backs - Cameron Greenfield, Forwards - Robbie Boddington.

Final match was against Melton who had provided admirable competition last season and Ilkeston expected a very tough competition. Ilkeston however started this match in the same vain they had completed the last match.
Competing at every level with their opposition and at times when the ball was in hand looked to have the upper hand. Unfortunately due to the local schooling education we saw the use of the hand off appearing, whilst a great skill it is unusable for a number of seasons yet, Melton's second row used it three times in one run to score. Heads were maintained and the explanation of tackles around the ankles would make the hand off uncontactable! Half time came with Ilkeston pressing the Melton line Ilkeston 0 Melton 5.
The loss of hooker Felix Rasbusin made the game more difficult but Ilkeston pushed their effort levels further. Melton's second try again came from a poor decision as what should have been clean ball for the Ilkeston scrum half saw him turned over by his opposite number, the ensuring couple of moves saw Melton score. Heads up decision made and Ilkeston needed to go again. And go again they did! Pressure from both Norris, Doughty and Boddington failed to break the Melton line however a clean ruck allowed Corrigan to feed Doughty who held his timing of the pass to Greenfield who received the ball and battled through four Melton players to score a well deserved try. Unfortunately this was the final play of the game and Ilkeston ended their day on a high. Final score Ilkeston 5 Melton 10.
Man of the match - Backs - Joseph Doughty, Forwards - Aidan Norris.

A hard morning for Ilkeston lacking belief in themselves and pushing their skills against the opposition. Better rucking and tackling combined with the forwards being more mobile to every breakdown would see more favourable results in this area. Some players today showed great improvements and offered thoughts to the coaches for future selection.